Federal prosecutor Jeanine Pirro stands at the scene of what authorities called the largest law enforcement disruption of precursor chemicals going to a foreign terrorist organization in Pasadena, Texas, Sept. 3, 2025. [REUTERS/Adrees Latif]

Federal authorities seized hundreds of thousands of pounds of two precursor chemicals used to make methamphetamine on the high seas that were bound for Mexico's Sinaloa cartel after departing from China, Fox News reported on Wednesday.

Jeanine Pirro, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced at a press conference in Pasadena, Texas, on Wednesday that this was the largest seizure of precursor chemicals ever found to be headed to a foreign terrorist organization. 

"Tons of chemicals used to make synthetic drugs like methamphetamines, or crystal meth, and fentanyl are being funneled from China to Mexico in China's undeclared war on America," Pirro said.

Pirro stated that the chemicals were on a ship from the port of Shanghai, China, bound for Mexico and intended for use by the Sinaloa Cartel.

According to Pirro, 1,300 barrels containing 363,000 pounds of benzyl alcohol and 334,000 pounds of N-methylformamide were seized from two ships on the high seas.

Pirro said that both chemicals are precursor chemicals that can be used to manufacture 420,000 pounds of methamphetamine.

The estimated street value of the methamphetamine that could have been produced from the seized chemicals would be at least $569 million, Pirro said.

Todd Lyons, acting director of ICE, explained that the approach to this operation was to target the supply chain of illegal drug manufacturers, focusing on chemical precursors rather than finished products.

"If these precursors had reached their destination, they would have manufactured hundreds of thousands of pounds of methamphetamines, generated over half a billion dollars in profit, and ultimately led to the deaths of more Americans, not just in Houston, but across the country," Lyons said.

Precursor chemicals are strictly controlled substances that can be used to manufacture deadly drugs or explosives.

Pirro said the seizure likely dealt a blow to the drug trafficking organization and may take some time for them to recover.

The Trump administration has pressured China over its role in the U.S. fentanyl epidemic, which kills tens of thousands of Americans each year.

Meanwhile, the Treasury Department announced Wednesday that it was sanctioning Chinese chemical company Guangzhou Tengyue Chemical Co., Ltd. and its representatives Huang Xiaojun and Huang Zhanpeng for coordinating the manufacturing and shipment of illicit opioids and chemicals to the United States.

By NNP=Sung Ku Hong, Chief Reporter / Special Correspondent info@newsandpost.com